History was written on the hardwood of the Cebu Coliseum this past Sunday, November 30, 2025. The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors etched their names into the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) record books after surviving an epic battle against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars. The final score was 95-93, but the real story was the marathon it took to get there: three overtime periods.
A Historic Marathon in Cebu
This monumental clash marked a first in the 25-year history of the Cesafi league. Never before had a game required three extra periods to determine a winner. The intense back-and-forth battle kept fans on the edge of their seats, culminating in a hard-fought victory for the Warriors that dramatically altered the playoff landscape.
With this crucial win, the USC Warriors improved their season record to 7 wins and 6 losses. The victory puts them in the driver's seat for the fourth and final semifinal berth. Their path is now clear: a win in their last elimination round assignment against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers on Wednesday, December 4, will seal their spot in the next round.
Playoff Hopes Hang in the Balance
On the other side of the court, the defeat was a heavy blow for the USJ-R Jaguars, dropping them to a 6-6 record. Their road to the semifinals has become steep and dependent on other results. The Jaguars must now win their two remaining games against formidable opponents: the top-ranked University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters on Tuesday night, December 2, and the No. 3 Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs on Friday, December 5.
Furthermore, the Jaguars' fate is no longer entirely in their own hands. They must also hope that the USC Warriors lose their final game to the USPF Panthers. If the Jaguars stumble against the Webmasters on Tuesday, the Warriors will clinch the last semifinal slot regardless of their own result, rendering their game against the Panthers a non-bearing contest.
Other Cesafi Sunday Results
While the triple-overtime game was the headline, other matches also took place in the Cesafi on Sunday. In the college division, the defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers demonstrated their dominance with a commanding 96-56 victory over the University of the Philippines (UP)-Cebu Fighting Maroons.
The high school division also saw action:
- The UV Baby Green Lancers overpowered the Don Bosco Technological Center (DBTC) Greywolves, 92-77.
- The USJ-R Jaguar Cubs secured a close 66-63 win against the Cebu Institute of Technology University (CITU) Junior Wildcats.
The next few days promise high drama as the Cesafi elimination round reaches its climax, with the historic triple-overtime game serving as a unforgettable prelude to the playoff battles ahead.
